Kentucky
| Kentucky |
 |
 |
Rand Paul (R) |
1 Democrat |
 |
Kentucky officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States and one of the states of the Upper South. Kentucky borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north; West Virginia and Virginia to the east; Tennessee to the south; and Missouri to the west. The Ohio River defines the Commonwealth's northern border. Its capital is Frankfort, and its two largest cities are Louisville and Lexington. The state's population in 2020 was approximately 4.5 million.
Kentucky was admitted into the Union as the 15th state on June 1, 1792, splitting from Virginia. It is known as the "Bluegrass State", a nickname based on Kentucky bluegrass, a species of green grass found in many of its pastures, which has supported the thoroughbred horse industry in the state's center. Historically, it was known for excellent farming conditions for this reason and the development of large tobacco plantations akin to those in Virginia and North Carolina in the central and western parts of the state with the use of enslaved labor during the Antebellum South and Civil War period. Kentucky ranks 5th nationally in goat farming, 8th in beef cattle production, and 14th in corn production. Kentucky has also been a major center of the tobacco industry for a long time. Today, Kentucky's economy has expanded to importance in non-agricultural sectors, including auto manufacturing, energy fuel production, and medical facilities. The state ranks 4th among US states in the number of automobiles and trucks assembled.
The state is home to the world's longest cave system in Mammoth Cave National Park, as well as the greatest length of navigable waterways and streams in the contiguous United States and the two largest man-made lakes east of the Mississippi River. Kentucky is also known for its culture, which includes horse racing, bourbon, moonshine, coal, "My Old Kentucky Home" historic state park, automobile manufacturing, tobacco, bluegrass music, college basketball, Louisville Slugger baseball bats, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and the Kentucky colonel.
Etymology
In 1776 the counties of Virginia beyond the Appalachian Mountains became known to European Americans as Kentucky County, named for the Kentucky River. The precise etymology of the name is uncertain, but likely based on an Iroquoian name meaning "(on) the meadow" or "(on) the prairie" (cf. Mohawk kenhtà:ke, Seneca gëdá'geh (phonemic /kɛ̃taʔkɛh/), "at the field").
Others have suggested the term Kenta Aki, which could have come from an Algonquian language and was possibly derived from Shawnee. Folk etymology translates this as "Land of Our Fathers". The closest approximation in another Algonquian language, Ojibwe, translates as "Land of Our In-Laws", thus making a fairer English translation "The Land of Those Who Became Our Fathers". In any case, the word aki means "land" in most Algonquian languages. Some also theorize that the name Kentucky may be a corruption of the word Catawba, about the Catawba people who inhabited Kentucky.
Attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community in Kentucky
The attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people in Kentucky are mixed and can vary significantly depending on the region, community, and political climate. Here’s a broad overview:
1. Urban vs. Rural Divide Urban areas (like Louisville, Lexington, and parts of Northern Kentucky) tend to be more supportive and inclusive of LGBTQ+ rights. These cities have pride events, anti-discrimination ordinances, and active LGBTQ+ communities.
Rural areas often have more conservative social attitudes, influenced by traditional religious and cultural values, which can lead to less acceptance or open hostility.
2. Legal Landscape Same-sex marriage has been legal since the 2015 Supreme Court decision (Obergefell v. Hodges), and Kentucky complies with that ruling.
State-level protections for LGBTQ+ individuals are limited. Kentucky has no statewide anti-discrimination law that includes sexual orientation or gender identity, though some cities have local ordinances (“Fairness Ordinances”).
Trans rights face particular challenges. There have been laws and proposals around issues like bathroom access, gender-affirming healthcare for minors, and participation in sports.
3. Political Climate Kentucky's political leadership leans conservative, and recent years have seen Republican-led efforts to pass laws restricting LGBTQ+ rights, especially those affecting transgender youth.
However, some moderate and progressive voices (including Democratic Governor Andy Beshear) have supported LGBTQ+ rights and vetoed some restrictive legislation, though those vetoes are sometimes overridden.
4. Community and Support LGBTQ+ advocacy groups like the Fairness Campaign are active and working for equality in the state.
Pride events are held in several cities, and LGBTQ+ community centers offer support and resources.
In summary, Kentucky is a state of contrasts. While there are pockets of strong LGBTQ+ support and activism, especially in urban centers, the overall environment is shaped by conservative politics and cultural values that can be challenging for LGBTQ+ individuals in many parts of the state.
History of the Kentucky Flag
The Kentucky State Flag features a dark blue background with the seal of Kentucky emblazoned at the center. The words "The Commonwealth of Kentucky" are displayed in gold in an arched shape above the seal, and beneath the seal are two sprigs of the state flower, goldenrod, in bloom.
The seal of Kentucky depicts a man dressed in buckskin shaking hands with a man dressed in a suit. This image is encircled by the state motto, "United We Stand, Divided We Fall." The man in buckskin symbolizes all frontiersmen, while the well-dressed man represents statesmen. The two men embody the state motto, which is derived from the lyrics of "The Liberty Song," a popular patriotic song during the Revolutionary War period. The Kentucky state flag was adopted on March 26th, 1918. When Kentucky was admitted as the 15th State in the US in 1792, it was the westernmost state in the country. The depiction of the frontiersman on the flag represents the rugged individuals who navigated the Appalachian mountains to reach Kentucky in search of opportunities.
Kentucky (officially known as the "Commonwealth of Kentucky"), is located in the East South-Central region of the United States of America. It shares borders with West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. The capital city of Kentucky is Frankfort. Kentucky falls within three major geographical regions: The Appalachian Highlands, the Interior Lowlands, and the Coastal Plain. Kentucky is also referred to as "The Bluegrass State," after a unique species of grass, called "bluegrass," that grows on lawns and pastures throughout the state.
Kentucky was originally inhabited by indigenous agricultural and hunting cultures. The earliest recorded Native American tribes to inhabit the area include the Shawnee, Cherokee, and Delaware. The Appalachian Mountains, which border Kentucky, have always presented difficulties to explorers and individuals seeking to reach Kentucky from the east. In 1750, however, British explorer Thomas Walker discovered a passage through the mountains known as the Cumberland Gap. Following the French and Indian War in 1783, the British promised the Native Americans that they would not attempt to settle the area of Kentucky that lay beyond the mountains; however, they gradually began to settle anyway.
The first permanent European settlement in Kentucky was Harrodsburg, established by James Harrods in 1774. It is recognized as the oldest city in Kentucky and the oldest permanent settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains in the United States. As Europeans began to settle in the area, they constructed homes on hunting grounds, which the Shawnee vehemently opposed, leading to significant conflict between the two groups. Eventually, war broke out between Virginia and the Shawnee Tribe when the governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore, declared war against them and subsequently defeated them at the Battle of Point Pleasant. The outcome of the war was an agreement between the Shawnee tribe and the settlers of Kentucky to use the Ohio River as a border. In 1775, Daniel Boone and his settlers established the town of "Boonesborough." They also expanded the "Cumberland Gap" to allow wagons to travel through more easily. This new trail earned the nickname "The Wilderness Road." After the American Revolutionary War, Kentucky became part of Virginia until it applied for its own statehood, and on June 1st, 1792, Kentucky became the 15th official state of the United States of America.
Trivia
- Jim Nabors (Gomer Pyle, USMC) was also known for singing "Back Home Again in Indiana" before the start of the "Indianapolis 500", held annually on the Memorial Day weekend. He sang the unofficial Indiana anthem almost every year from 1972 to 2014, except for occasional absences due to illness or scheduling conflicts.
External links
- Wikipedia article: Kentucky
Chat rooms • What links here • Copyright info • Contact information • Category:Root